All three editions of the game – Standard, Legend and Legend Gold (Digital Only) will be released across Europe to everyone on Friday, 15th September 2017 (Sept. 19 in North America), just in time for you to play all weekend.

Each tier of the game will have varying levels of additional and exclusive content, which will be outlined below, once we have told you all who will be starring on the Legend and Legend Gold editions this year…

The NBA 2K18 covers are getting a fresh look, and the first Legend to feature on our new Legend and Legend Gold covers is none other than Shaquille O’Neal.

The 7ft1, 2000 MVP and 15x NBA All-Star had an incredible career that spanned 19 years, playing for teams such as the Orlando Magic and the L.A. Lakers; he is one of the most recognisable figures in the NBA, with his signature two-handed slam dunk recently re-created in statue-form outside the home of the L.A. Lakers, the STAPLES Center.

Continuing to provide punditry for the game, O’Neal is still very much in the public eye, and so it seems right to commemorate him as a true Legend by making him our Legend star for NBA 2K18.

“I want to thank NBA 2K for their continuous support of my basketball and broadcast career,” said O’Neal, whose Hall of Fame enshrinement late last year celebrates a storied 19-year career. “I’m excited to be on the cover of the NBA 2K18 Legend Edition and I hope my fans have a blast playing it up big man style and re-creating my most legendary in-game moments!”

Fans who pre-order the NBA 2K18 Legend Edition and NBA 2K18 Legend Edition Gold at participating North American retail and online vendors receive Early Tip-Off Access, ensuring they receive their copy and in-game bonuses four days early beginning on September 15, 2017. 

The NBA 2K18 Legend Edition includes special Shaq memorabilia and in-game content, including:

Physical Items:

• Limited-edition Shaq poster;
• 5 Panini trading cards;
• Exclusive stickers.

Digital Content:

• 100,000 Virtual Currency;
• 20 Weekly MyTEAM Packs (One MyTEAM pack to be redeemed per week)
• Shaq in-game items;
• And more!

Gamers who pre-order the NBA 2K18 Legend Edition Gold will receive even more exclusive Shaq memorabilia and in-game content, including:

Physical Items:

• Limited-edition Shaq Poster;
• Lenticular;
• 10 Panini trading cards;
• Exclusive stickers.

Digital Content:

• 250,000 Virtual Currency;
• 40 Weekly MyTEAM Packs (One MyTEAM pack to be redeemed per week)
• Shaq in-game items;
• And more!

O’Neal’s Legend Edition appearance on NBA 2K18 marks the third NBA 2K cover appearance for the 15-time NBA All-Star and 14-time All-NBA selection. O'Neal, who played 19 NBA seasons, was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.

The NBA 2K18 Legend Edition and Legend Edition Gold will be available in both digital and physical formats for $99.99 and $149.99, respectively, on PS4, Switch and Xbox One. The NBA 2K18 Legend Edition Gold physical edition is available exclusively at GameStop.

The Standard Edition will also have bonus Pre-Order/Day One content, but this will be announced at a later date.